Grow hoya plants

Popular in 1970s homes, it’s hard to believe this remarkable group of vining plants, which are also known as wax flowers, ever went out of fashion. 

Now it’s hip to be hoya once more. Hundreds of different species and cultivars are available, each with intriguing foliage forms, textures and patterns. There are the old favourites, Hoya carnosa and H. australis, but there are also varieties such as the highly sought after H. kentiana ‘Variegata’ and H. obovata ‘Splash’, which have transformed collecting into a frenzied bidding war.

Fortunately, hoya plants are relatively easy to propagate, so you don’t need to take out a bank loan to enjoy growing them.

Position & care

Hoyas are native to tropical parts of South East Asia, the Pacific Islands and pockets of northern Australia, which means they grow best in warm, frost-free climates. However, depending on the species, you can enjoy them in cooler climates if they are given protection inside during winter.

Position your hoya plants in a spot with bright, filtered light, under a patio or indoors near a north-facing window. While hoyas will grow in deeper shade, they won’t flower well. On the other hand, keep them away from direct sun, as this can burn or bleach their leaves. Most hoyas are epiphytic, so they demand perfect drainage. Growing them in a loose, open medium such as orchid mix is ideal.

Hoyas generally prefer being allowed to dry out between waterings. If they receive too much water, the leaves will become soft and yellow, and fall off. Feed with controlled-release fertiliser in spring, and mist foliage with a flower-boosting, soluble fertiliser once buds appear.

When hoyas have finished flowering, don’t cut them back, as they can flower again from the same cluster. If the leaves are becoming sparse or patchy, prune them back to just above a node, to encourage a bushy habit. You can use those clippings to grow more.

Hoyas like to stay pot-bound, so there’s no need to re-pot them for at least a couple of years – although I have seen specimens growing in the same pot for many years, and continuing to thrive. Top up the potting mix and lightly dress with organic pellets to help refresh the mix.

Styling hoya plants

The diverse forms and growth habits of hoyas lend themselves beautifully to styling spaces in and around the home. A classic way to display them is in a hanging basket, where their vines spill and scramble over the sides, creating a lovely lush, verdant feel. All hoyas look fabulous spilling over the sides of pots, but there are more pendulous forms, such as H. linearis, H. bella and H. ‘Minibelle’, that fit this look perfectly.

The moderately vigorous climbers, such as H. carnosa, H. kerrii and H. australis, will work their way around structures, so give them a reason to climb, and train them onto a wire trellis or frame. It can be a simple hoop or an interesting geometric shape. Train them when young, using clips or soft twist garden ties to guide them around the frame. If you’re in a tropical or subtropical zone, consider growing them in pots outside and training the vines along tension wire to form a green screen. 

For a simple but effective indoor plant display, position smaller-leafed varieties, such as H. curtisii or H. ‘Mathilde’, on shelves or tables. Group a mix of different leaf forms together for interest, or use a single plant teamed with a decorative pot as an eye-catching feature piece.

Troubleshooting

Hoyas can be troubled by sap-sucking insects, including aphids and mealy bugs. They love feeding on the succulent foliage and stems. Treat with an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, spraying the foliage and stems thoroughly.

For more trailing plants, check out a few of Tammy Huynh’s favourites here.